Rare Oversized Lincoln & Johnson Portrait Campaign Parade Lantern
1864
Expanded height: 15 inches; diameter: 8½ inches
 
An exceptionally rare oversized accordion-fold paper parade lantern produced for the 1864 presidential campaign of Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson. One side is printed with a striking cobalt-blue bust portrait of Lincoln beneath a semicircle of stars, while the reverse displays a pale green laurel wreath enclosing the names "Lincoln and Johnson" in violet lettering. Intended for use in torchlight processions, the lantern was illuminated from within and suspended by a wire bail, creating a dramatic display during the mass political parades that characterized the 1864 campaign.
 
Considerably larger than the standard Lincoln & Johnson parade lanterns commonly encountered, this impressive variant is rarely found. Its bold portrait design, substantial scale, and survival make it an outstanding example of Civil War campaign ephemera.
 
Condition: Approximately 6-inch tear near the upper edge and an adjacent 1-inch tear with interior tape repair. Replacement bail handle and securing loops. Minor, expected separations at several fold creases, with typical waviness to the cardboard top and bottom rings. Despite these flaws, the principal display surfaces remain attractive, with the damage largely confined to the upper portion, presenting well for display.